REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Department of Education
PUBLIC TECHNICAL-VOCATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOLS

COMPETENCY-BASED
LEARNING MATERIAL
FOURTH YEAR

HORTICULTURE NC II
Unit of Competency: PRODUCE FRUIT-BEARING CROPS
Module No. 2 Module Title: GROWING OF SEEDLINGS

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 MODULE II

QUALIFICATION TITLE : HORTICULTURE NC II

UNIT OF COMPETENCY : PRODUCE FRUIT-
BEARING CROPS
MODULE TITLE : GROWING OF
SEEDLINGS
NOMINAL DURATION : 80HOURS

WHAT IS THIS MODULE ABOUT?

This module covers the knowledge, skills and attitudes required in

growing seedlings of fruit-bearing crops. It includes gathering and mixing
the growing media components, selecting variety to plant, treating and
sowing of seeds. It also includes potting seedlings and propagating plants
asexually.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

After completing this module, you should be able to:

1. prepare the growing media for fruit-bearing crops;
2. select variety to plant;
3. treat and sow seeds;
4. pot seedlings; and
5. perform asexual plant propagation

WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW?

PRE-TEST:

Read and answer each of the questions carefully. Write only the
letter of your answer in your quiz notebook.

1. Which of the following is the recommended growing media for fruit-

bearing crops?
a. equal parts of garden soil, compost, sieved sand and sawdust
b. 2 parts of coco coir, 1 part of compost, ½ part of sawdust and ½
part of garden soil
c. equal parts of garden soil, coco coir, sawdust/rice hulls and
compost
d. equal parts of loam soil, sand, sawdust/rice hulls and manure

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2. What should you do to protect your propagating material from the
infection caused by soil borne diseases?
a. Analyze the soil.
b. Fertilize the soil.
c. Sterilize the soil.
d. Irrigate the soil.

3. Which of the following is NOT a good characteristic of seeds to be

propagated?
a. clean seeds
b. immature seeds
c. viable seeds
d. true-to-type seeds

4. Which of the following can best guide you in selecting varieties of

fruit-bearing crops to plant?
a. reading books and pamphlets about raising fruit trees
b. listening to the advice of farm management technicians in the
locality
c. listening and following the advice of the experienced successful
growers in the neighborhood
d. b and c

5. Which should not be considered when deciding what variety to

plant?
a. Fruit-bearing crop farm as a long-term enterprise.
b. Difficulty of persuading consumers to buy what they don’t like.
c. Knowing what the consumers want and projecting when their
fruit-bearing crops bear fruits.
d. Introducing of new varieties to persuade consumers to buy them
.
6. Which of the following treatments is used against seed borne
diseases?
a. soaking in water or partial burning
b. applying chemical treatment and hot water treatment
c. filing or rubbing them against coarse objects
d. breaking or the seed coat thinning making

7. Which of the following is also called sexual propagation?

a. planting cuttings
b. using roots
c. planting seeds
d. planting underground stems

3
8. One of the following is not a reason for treating your seeds before
planting them?
a. to allow after-ripening process
b. to hasten germination
c. to ensure seeds against seed-borne diseases
d. to determine the number of seeds to be planted in a certain area

9. Which of the following is NOT a condition necessary for

germination of seeds?
a. germinating medium and its moisture content
b. degree of warmth and free oxygen
c. time of sowing the seeds
d. manner of sowing the seeds

10. Which of the following methods of sowing fruit-bearing tree seeds is

not usually practiced?
a. drilling in separate furrows in the nursery
b. broadcasting in the nursery beds
c. individual sowing of seeds
d. sowing seeds not so close to each other in seed boxes

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LESSON 1

PREPARE THE GROWING MEDIA

WHAT IS THIS LESSON ABOUT?

This lesson discusses the components of the growing media. It

includes gathering, mixing and sterilizing that will ensure the success of
the growing seedlings.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify the components of the growing media;
2. gather and mix thoroughly the components of the growing media;
3. sterilize the growing media; and
4. develop industry and love for manual labor.

LET US STUDY

Let us Define

compost – decayed plant and animal matter

soil sterilization – the process of subjecting the soil to heat or chemicals
to kill micro-organisms and other bacteria

Components of the Growing Media

One of the important factors to consider in growing seedlings for

fruit-bearing crops is the preparation of the growing media. Just like
vegetable seeds, fruit-bearing crop seeds need the same attention in the
preparation of the media where they are to be germinated.
A successful fruit crop grower must gather the soil media and mix
them thoroughly before they are placed in seed beds, seed boxes or in
individual plastic bags.
The components of the growing media and their proportion are:
o 1 part garden soil
o 1 part coco coir
o 1 part compost
o 1 part sawdust/rice hull

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 After the components are mixed thoroughly, the growing media
should be sterilized. Sterilization could be done by:
o burning organic materials above the soil,
o pouring boiling water into the soil,
o roasting the media using a half-cut drum with set fire under
it, and
o using chemicals like formaldehyde at the concentration of 3-
5 tbsp per gallon of water and drenching the media in the solution.
After the soil media is sterilized, it is ready to be placed in the seed
beds, seed boxes or in the individual plastic bags.

How to Place the Soil Media in the Seed Box

1. Put small flat stones on top of each hole at the bottom of the seed
box.
2. Fill one half of the seed box with coarse sterilized soil.
3. Level and press the surface a little bit.
4. Place the fine, heated soil on the surface. Fill up to about 3
centimeters below the edge of the seed box.
5. Level the surface and press the soil again.
The same procedure is followed in filling in the individual plastic
bags except the first procedure.

LET US REMEMBER

The success of growing seedlings depends on the proper

preparation of the growing media.

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Answer the following questions briefly.

1. What are the components of the growing media and their proper
ratio and proportion? (5 pts)
2. Why do we need to sterilize the growing media? (5 pts)

LET US APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

As part of your project, gather 50 kilograms of each of the different

components of the growing media and mix them thoroughly. You will use
the mixed media in your seed bed, seed boxes or individual pots. Show
your group leader the growing media you gathered for him/her to check
and record. The leader will then report to the teacher.

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RESOURCES

growing media components

garden soil
coco coir
compost
sawdust/rice hull
trowel
shovel
socks
container
pot/plastic bag
blunt stick

REFERENCES

Introduction to Tropical Horticulture (1994)

SEAMEO-SEARCA
by Bautista Ok
Mango Technical Committee (1994)
Philippine Recommended for Mango
PCARRD pp 10-24

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LESSON 2

SELECT THE VARIETY TO PLANT

WHAT IS THIS LESSON ABOUT?

This lesson deals with selecting the variety of fruit-bearing crops to

plant. Specifically, it includes the study of the good qualities of seeds and
the varieties to plant.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. identify and select good quality seeds;
2. determine the varieties to plant; and
3. recognize the importance of planting good quality seeds and
varieties suitable to the locality.

LET US STUDY

Let us Define

seed – a fertilized and ripened ovule which may develop into a young
plant by germination
variety – a group of cultivars which by species, by structural features and
by performances can be identified from one another
mother plant – a plant from which propagating materials are taken
viability – refers to the ability of seeds to germinate

How to Select Good Seeds

Good seeds are essential to the success of growing fruit-bearing

crops. It must be remembered that a careful and efficient pomologist
cannot achieve success with poor quality seeds.
Seed selection can be made on locally grown seeds. High yielding
seed varieties must be selected. The mother plant should be sturdy,
vigorous and of good quality.

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Characteristics of Good Seeds

Good seeds are essential in the success of crop growing. The most
careful and efficient grower cannot achieve success in selecting good
seeds even if he gives the closest attention to all other factors of
production. Therefore, thorough and careful selection of seeds should be
observed.
Good seeds have the following characteristics:
1. Good seeds should be viable. The viability of seed refers to its
power to germinate and produce strong and healthy plants.
2. Good seeds must be fully matured. The embryo is fully developed in
ripe seed.
3. Good seeds are usually fresh. Crop plants differ greatly in length of
time. They retain their viability. Usually, the strength of
germination decreases after the seed reaches two years old.
4. Good seeds should be free from seed borne diseases. The grower
should test the presence of any disease in his seeds.
5. Good seeds should be true-to-type. This means that the seed is not
mixed with off-type seed or other varieties.
6. Good seeds should be damage-free. They should be free from any
damage done by insects or mechanical elements.
7. Good seeds should be free from weed seeds and other foreign
materials.

Select the Variety to Plant

Selecting the variety to plant is a very important activity in

producing fruit-bearing crops. There are important points to consider in
choosing the types and species of trees to grow.
The following are the important points that a prospective fruit crop
grower should consider in choosing the varieties to plant.
1. Select types and species of fruit-bearing crops that thrive in
your locality. One common mistake in growing fruit-bearing crops
is the planting of varieties that are not adapted to the place. No
matter where you live, there are many varieties of fruit-bearing
crops that you can grow. A prospective fruit-bearing crop grower
should be guided by the experiences of successful growers in the
neighborhood, or from farm management technicians in the
locality.
2. Give preference to types and species with high quality. The
chief requisites of fruit-bearing crops of a commercial variety are
productivity and appearance while the chief requisite of a variety
for home is quality. It will be best for the fruit-bearing crop grower
to study varieties by giving
a. Emphasis on quality not on quantity or appearance.
b. If varieties found in your locality have all the three points, so
much the better.
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 3. Select the types and species of trees you like best. Select your
favorite varieties even though these are not commonly considered
high quality.
4. Decide the number of varieties to plant. A home fruit-bearing
crop grower should plant more varieties whereas a commercial
Grower should plant less varieties throughout the year. In the
commercial fruit orchard, it is better to have only few varieties for
business reasons.
5. Consider the market you are to serve. A fruit-bearing crop farm
is a long term enterprise. It is then important to consider what the
market likes than to persuade consumers to accept unwanted
commodities. Crop growers should know what the consuming
public want and can project when their fruit-bearing crops will
bear fruits. They should also be keen about trends and tendencies
that will aid in forecasting demands.

Types of Fruit-bearing Crops for Planting

Province Major Philippine Minor Philippine Fruit-bearing

Fruit-bearing Crops crops
Northern jackfruit, mandarin, Philippine lemon, grapes,
Luzon orange, pomelo, rambutan, caimito, camachili,
mango, banana duhat, cashew
Central citrus, mango avocado, chico, duhat, cashew,
Luzon guava, caimito, siniguelas,
tamarind, santol, grapes
Southern jackfruit, papaya, atis, avocado, chico, guyabano,
Luzon citrus, banana rambutan, lanzones, santol,
siniguelas
Visayas mango, banana, avocado, duhat, caimito, grapes,
jackfruit pili nut
Mindanao banana, papaya, lanzones, rambutan, guyabano,
citrus, mango santol, durian, guava, atis, chico,
caimito, grapes

LET US REMEMBER

The measure of success of fruit-bearing crops, be it for backyard or

commercial purposes, is viewed on the quality and quantity produced.
This could be attained by taking into consideration the following factors
in selecting the variety of fruit-bearing crops to plant.
o Plant crops that thrive in your locality.
o Give preference to fruit-bearing crops of high quality.
o Select and plant fruit-bearing crops that you like best.
o Decide how many varieties you will plant.
o Consider the market you are to serve.

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HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Select the best answer by writing only the LETTER of your answer
in your quiz notebook.
1. Which of the following is NOT true in selecting variety to plant?
a. It should thrive in your locality.
b. It should have quality and quantity produce.
c. It should be liked by the family and buyers.
d. It should depend upon the size and appearance of the seeds.
2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of good quality
seeds?
a. viable c. immature
b. clean d. true-to-type
3. Which is considered as the chief requisite of fruit-bearing crops of
commercial variety?
a. high quality and quantity
b. profitable
c. attractive appearance
d. productive and of good appearance
4. Why is there a need to plant more types and varieties of fruit-
bearing crops in backyard fruit growing?
a. It gives aesthetic beauty to the area.
b. It gives enough shade for the animals.
c. It provides continuous supply of fruits throughout the year.
d. It shows that the family members are fruit lovers.
5. Which of the following is NOT a major Philippine fruit-bearing
crop?
a. mango c. banana
b. citrus d. atis

LET US APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Visit your school nursery and select variety to plant based on what
you have learned.
RESOURCES
school nursery textbook
seedling other reading materials
seeds modules

REFERENCES

Technology and Home Economics

Agriculture and Fishery Technology
Plant and Crop Productions (SEDP Series)
11
Technology and Home Economics
Agriculture Arts (SEDP-NSEC Series)

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LESSON 3

TREAT AND SOW SEEDS

WHAT IS THIS LESSON ABOUT?

This lesson focuses mainly on the objectives and methods of seed

treatment and sowing of seeds.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to:

1. learn the objectives of seed treatment;
2. practice seed treatment;
3. perform sowing of seeds; and
4. develop patience in treating and sowing of seeds.

LET US STUDY

Let us Define

seed treatment – the operation applied to seeds to prevent them from the
attack of insect pests and diseases. It also hastens the seed
germination
dormancy – the rest period of seeds
viability – the ability of the seeds to germinate and continue their growth
until they have consumed their stored food.

Objectives of Seed Treatment

1. Allow the after-ripening process. Some seeds do not germinate

readily if they are planted immediately after harvesting. They are
dormant. This condition is called true dormancy. They have to be
allowed to after-ripen, that is, to allow to continue after harvest the
process of ripening which had started in the seeds before being
harvested. To do this, simply give them time before sowing.
2. Hasten germination. Seed already have ripening rest or true
dormancy but cannot germinate because of unfavorable
environment. As a result, germination of seed in hastened through
false dormancy.

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 Ways of hastening germination:
a. By soaking in water for 12 to 24 hours before sowing. This
method can be improved by soaking the seeds in water with a
temperature of 60°C to 65°C and keeping them in the water for
10 to 15 minutes.
b. By breaking the seed coat or by making the seed coat thin to
facilitate entrance of water into the embryo. These methods are
applied to seeds with hard seed coats.
c. By filing or by rubbing them against sand paper. This method is
called seed scarification. It is used for other seeds with hard
seed coats.
d. By treating seeds with sulfuric acid which makes the seed coat
thinner.
3. Treat seeds against seed-borne diseases and pests
a. Hot water treatment is done by dipping the seeds for few
minutes.
b. Chemical treatment is a very common method of disinfecting
seeds in the form of solution or water suspension or in the form of
dust. Seed dusting consists of coating the seed with the dust of a
certain kind of product like arasan and ceresan. This method is not
environmentally friendly.

Sowing of Seeds

Propagation by seed is also called sexual method of propagation

because it involves the two sexes-the male and the female, and the seed
is a product of two. Usually, we propagate a plant by seed when we are
after a rapid rate of multiplication.
Sometimes we don’t use the seeds. Instead, we use the vegetative
parts like suckers, marcots, cuttings, bulbs or other parts depending
upon the plant.
Even if a given seed is viable, there is no full assurance that it will
germinate, unless the conditions necessary for germination are provided.
These conditions are the germinating medium, moisture, free oxygen,
certain degree of warmth. We must not forget the manner of sowing the
seeds.
The seeds are sown either in seed beds, seed boxes, or in individual
pots or plastic bags.
The beds for starting fruit-bearing crops may be constructed out of
banana stalks, hollow blocks, or logs. These should be placed inside a
nursery shed made for this purpose. The latter is preferable by most
growers as it provides ample protection for seedlings to grow healthy.
Most seeds of fruit trees should be planted in a shallow hole. Stray
animals should be kept out by fencing the nursery site.

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 In case of seed bed sowing, seeds of fruit-bearing crops are spaced
not so close to each other so as to give the seeds enough space to grow
until they are transferred to their permanent places.
Fruit-bearing crops such as mango, avocado, citrus, and chico
start from seeds, cuttings, and other means of vegetative propagation.
Many kinds of seeds may be drilled separately in nursery rows, tin
cans, or plastic bags where the trees are to remain for a year or more.
This treatment is suitable for jackfruit, santol, atis, avocado, rambutan,
lanzones, and duhat.
The seeds should be watered frequently to ensure the desired
growth of the seedlings.

LET US REMEMBER

Seed treatment is very important in the growing of fruit-bearing

crops. To economize time, money and effort, seeds should be treated
properly in order to protect them against seed borne diseases and hasten
germination to produce quality seeds for planting.

HOW MUCH HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Match the words in Column A with their descriptions in Column B

by writing the letter only. Write your answers in your quiz notebook.
Column A Column B
1. seed a. asexual method of propagation
treatment b. the rest period of seeds
2. dormancy c. not environmentally friendly method of
3. viability seed treatment
4. chemical d. the ability of the seed to germinate
treatment e. operation involved in treating the seeds to
5. propagation prevent the attack of insect pests and
by seed diseases and to hasten germination

LET US APPLY WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED

Perform seed growing of fruit bearing crops in your prepared

polyethylene plastic bags. Sow at least 25 seeds of mango.

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RESOURCES

seeds
container
pail
basin
knife
chemicals
personal protective equipment

REFERENCES

Propagation of Horticulture Plants

by Adriance and Brison
McGraw-Hill Publication in the Agricultural Sciences
Technology and Home Economics
Agriculture and Fishery Technology
Plant and Crop Productions (SEDP Series)
Technology and Home Economics
Agriculture Arts (SEDP-NSEC Series)

16
POST TEST:
Read and answer each of the questions carefully. Write only the
letter of your answer in your quiz notebook.
1. Which of the following is the recommended growing media for fruit-
bearing crops?
a. equal parts of garden soil, compost, sieved sand and sawdust
b. 2 parts of coco coir, 1 part of compost, ½ part of sawdust and ½
part of garden soil
c. equal parts of garden soil, coco coir, sawdust/rice hulls and
compost
d. equal parts of loam soil, sand, sawdust/rice hulls and manure

2. What should you do to protect your propagating material from the

infection caused by soil borne diseases?
e. Analyze the soil.
f. Fertilize the soil.
g. Sterilize the soil.
h. Irrigate the soil.

6. Which of the following is NOT a good characteristic of seeds to be

propagated?
a. clean seeds
b. immature seeds
c. viable seeds
d. true-to-type seeds

7. Which of the following can best guide you in selecting varieties of

fruit-bearing crops to plant?
a. reading books and pamphlets about raising fruit trees
b. listening to the advice of farm management technicians in the
locality
c. listening and following the advice of the experienced successful
growers in the neighborhood
d. b and c

8. Which should not be considered when deciding what variety to

plant?
a. Fruit-bearing crop farm as a long-term enterprise.
b. Difficulty of persuading consumers to buy what they don’t like.
c. Knowing what the consumers want and projecting when their
fruit-bearing crops bear fruits.
d. Introducing of new varieties to persuade consumers to buy them
.
9. Which of the following treatments is used against seed borne
diseases?
a. soaking in water or partial burning
b. applying chemical treatment and hot water treatment
c. filing or rubbing them against coarse objects
d. breaking or the seed coat thinning making
17
10. Which of the following is also called sexual propagation?
a. planting cuttings
b. using roots
c. planting seeds
d. planting underground stems

11. One of the following is not a reason for treating your seeds before
planting them?
a. to allow after-ripening process
b. to hasten germination
c. to ensure seeds against seed-borne diseases
d. to determine the number of seeds to be planted in a certain area

12. Which of the following is NOT a condition necessary for

germination of seeds?
a. germinating medium and its moisture content
b. degree of warmth and free oxygen
c. time of sowing the seeds
d. manner of sowing the seeds

13. Which of the following methods of sowing fruit-bearing tree seeds is

not usually practiced?
a. drilling in separate furrows in the nursery
b. broadcasting in the nursery beds
c. individual sowing of seeds
d. sowing seeds not so close to each other in seed boxes

18
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENTS
PAGE

MODULE 2. Growing of seedlings................................ 1

What is this module about?.................................. 1

What will you learn?............................................. 1
What do you already know?.................................. 1

LESSON 1.Prepare the growing media.......................... 4

What is this lesson about?................................... 4

What will you learn?............................................ 4
Let us study......................................................... 4
Let us remember.................................................. 5
How much have you learned................................ 5
Let us apply what you have learned..................... 5
Resources............................................................ 5
References........................................................... 5

LESSON 2. Select the variety to plant......................... 7

What is this lesson about?.................................... 7

What will you learn?............................................. 7
Let us study.......................................................... 7
Let us remember................................................... 10
How much have you learned................................. 10
Let us apply what you have learned...................... 10
Resources............................................................. 10
References............................................................ 10

LESSON 3. Treat and sow seeds................................... 11

What is this lesson about?..................................... 11

What will you learn?.............................................. 11
Let us study........................................................... 11
Let us remember................................................... 13
How much have you learned.................................. 13
Let us apply what you have learned....................... 13
Resources.............................................................. 14

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References............................................................. 14
Post test................................................................ 15

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